This is a good idea and worthwhile for the city. However, I don't think the city should be carrying the cost to operate and maintain the rink. It should be privately owned and operated with city and community support. This rink will give children a place to gather and be with friends and peers with good excercise in a safe enviornment. The Wasatch Valley needs more places like this for young adults and children to assemble and socialize. Keep food courts and commercialism out of it though, they tend to take over a city managed project and loose the atmosphere of socializing and invite trouble.

Every year, Colorado hosts the Ice Skating Institute's World competition. Hundreds of ice skaters from all across the country go to Colorado to compete. Now, Utah should start its own I.S.I. competition and let ice skating bring tourists, business and revenue to Cottonwood.

Bob, the recreation center is operated by a special service district, not the city. It's been viable for some 30 years, approved by the voters living within the boundaries of the special service district.

Deblee- There are many US Figure Skating competitions held in Utah every year that already bring "tourists, business and revenue to the state of Utah." This has been going on for 20+ years, by the way.

ditto on sodiedog's comments to Bog G - the Cottonwood Heights service area (~40 years old) is NOT Cottonwood Heights City (~4 years old). Back in the day the residents of the service area voted to create a new district to levy a tax to provide recreation and parks services for them. It's worked great.
Also Bob G, the reasong things like this are NOT private is swimming pools, ice rinks, etc. aren't that profitable as a private venture. Thus communities demand the services from government. When was the last time you saw an ice rink, competition sized pools, or racquet ball courts at a Gold's Gym? Every see CPR or Boy Scout merit badges taught there?

I like the concessions availability. Sometimes it's nice for a snack or drink between activities or during a hot afternoon swimming. Not commercialization as much as meeting the demands of the citizens/customers.